No team has ever defended the T20 World Cup title. Suryakumar Yadav’s children did it first. At home, the same is true. Here’s The Times of India’s transcript of 15 people who made it happen.
Gautam Gambhir (coach) – 9/10
Two consecutive ICC trophies. The only man in history to win the T20 World Cup as a player and coach. His greatest contribution was setting the team’s ideology as “not playing for milestones.” He supported Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy through their difficult times.
Jasprit Bumrah- 10/10
Suryakumar Yadav calls him a “national treasure” for a reason. Indian cheat codes! He was named Man of the Match in the final with a score of 4/15. The finished joint top wickettaker had 14 scalps and an economy of 6.21 – outstanding on a surface where others were bleeding. In the semi-finals, he conceded just 14 points in two overs, with England needing 69 points in the final five overs.
M: 8 | W: 14 | ER: 6.21 | Avg: 12.42 | SR: 12.00
Tri-State Samson – 10/10
When he got the chance, he erased the opposition’s bowling, the narrative that had been leveled against him, and years of heartbreak. He started his scoring spree with an unbeaten 97 in the virtual quarter-final against West Indies, then hit 89 in the semi-final against England and another 89 in the final – becoming only the second batsman to score 80-plus scores three times in a row at the T20 World Cup. His 89 is the highest individual score in a men’s T20 World Cup final. Rightly named Player of the Tournament.
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Medium: 5 | Replies: 321 | SR: 199.37 | Average: 80.25 | 50s: 3
Ishan Kishan – 9/10
There is a recurring theme in the comeback stories at this World Cup. Those who were written off came back with a bang. After shooting 54-for-25 in the finals, his path to redemption was complete. His best performance came against Pakistan, when he scored 77 runs off 40 to lead India. He has the fourth-highest score in the tournament.
Men: 9 | Replies: 317 | SR: 193.29 | Avg: 35.22 | 50s: 3
Hardik Pandya – 8.5/10
A reliable, critical professional who shows up when it counts. He scored half-centuries against Namibia and Zimbabwe each, but his best score came in the semi-finals against England, where he scored a quick 27 off 12 to help India push their total to over 250. His best performance with the ball came against Pakistan (2/16). In the semi-final, he bowled just 9 runs in the 19th over, claiming 2/38 to stop England.
M: 9 | Reps: 217 | SR: 160.74 | Avg: 27.12 | 50 seconds: 2 Weeks: 9 | ER: 8.81 | BB: 2/16
Shivamdube – 8/10
While resisting the order, it helped India get out of trouble. He scored 31 off 65 balls against Netherlands, helping India reach 193 after initial struggles. In the final, he scored 24 points in the last over to take India’s score to 255. Even in the semi-final against England, he played a crucial knock, knocking 43 off 25 off the crafty Adil Rashid.
Male: 9 | Replies: 235 | SR: 169.06 | Average: 39.16 | 50s: 1
Week: 5 | Emergency: 14.12 | BB: 2/35
Axar Patel – 8/10
Although he was not required to use the bat, he took 11 wickets with the ball, often bowling crucial shots. In the final, he took 3/27. In the semi-final, he made two stunning catches that completely changed the game.
Male: 7 | Replies: 16 | SR: 106.66 | Average Score: 5.33 | 50 Seconds: 0
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) – 7.5/10
His leadership is clear, instinctive and dynamic. He reads the game well and is not afraid to back up his bowlers or change the batting order under pressure. But with a bat, he looks like a shadow of his prime. The only half-century – an unbeaten 84 off 49 against the United States – humiliated India early on.
Male: 9 | Replies: 242 | SR: 136.72 | Average: 30.25 | 50s: 1
Tilak Varma- 7.5/10
He started in third but didn’t make it. Dropped into the middle order and suddenly he looked like a different batsman. His importance was highlighted by his unbeaten 16 off 44 balls against Zimbabwe, 27 off 15 balls against the Windies and 21 off 7 balls in the semi-final against England, in which he knocked down three sixes off Jofra Archer.
Inns: 9 | Runs: 207 | SR: 154.47 | Avg: 29.57 | 50s: 0
Ardeep Singh – 7.5/10
He was unable to fully replicate his 2024 heroics in the high-scoring arena, but still performed well in the semi-finals against England and the Super Eights against Zimbabwe. The team trusted him throughout, and he often reciprocated that trust.
M: 8 | West: 9 | ER: 8.46 | Avg: 28.22 | SR: 20 | BB: 2/24
Varun Chakravarthy – 7/10
This is a game divided into two halves. He took 9 wickets in the group stage and bowled economically, but in the next five games he took only 5 more wickets at 11.84. But 14 wickets in the World Cup is not bad either.
M: 9 | West: 14 | ER: 9.25 | Avg: 20.50 | SR: 13.20 | BB: 3/7
Kuldeep Yadav – 7/10
Only played one game. He took three overs against Pakistan in Colombo and took figures of 1/14. He watched the rest of the game from the dugout.
M: 1 | Width: 1 | ER: 4.66 | Ave: 14 | SR: 18 | BB: 1/14
Mohammad Siraj – 7/10
A last-minute replacement for Harshit Rana, he played only the first match against the United States and left with 3/29, replacing an ailing Bumrah.
Medium: 1 | Width: 3 | ER: 7.25 | Average: 9.66 | SR: 8 | BB: 3/29
Abhishek Sharma – 6/10
This should have been his World Cup, but he spent seven games on the brink, collecting three ducks in the first three innings. Opposition deviants got him into trouble. There was talk of him participating in the finals. He suppressed the game in the most decisive way, scoring the fastest goal in the World Cup in half a century in just 18 goals.
Men: 8 | Replies: 141 | SR: 158.42 | Avg: 17.62 | 50s: 2
Linku Singh – 5/10
His game was cut short and difficult. Making a cameo in a role that didn’t suit him, he lost his place in the eleven at the end of the game. But every highlight of the Indian defense has featured him. He contributed as a backup outfielder and remained a passionate presence during what was clearly a painful month, as his father passed away midway through the game.
Medium: 5 | Replies: 24 | SR: 82.75 | Avg Time: 8.00 | 50s: 0
Washington Sundar – 5/10
He only played two games, with a possession rate of 0/36 against the Netherlands and 0/17 against South Africa. In his innings against the Proteas, he scored only 11 runs. He is the depth of the team and is used as cover.
M: 2 | Replies: 11 | SR: 100.00 | Avg: 11:00 | 50 seconds: 0
Week: 0 | ER: 8.83
